Tony Fernandes planned to reinstate Chelsea legend Gianfranco Zola as manager if his bid for West Ham United had been successful.
The Daily Mail says instead Fernandes's offer was dismissed as derisory and Sam Allardyce chosen as boss - decisions that alienated the Malaysian, a lifelong Hammers fan. He called the Hammers high command of David Gold, David Sullivan and Karren Brady 'not nice people to deal with to put it mildly' and Allardyce 'a tragic selection'.
Fernandes said: "West Ham is all about a style of football which you won't get with Allardyce. And I just can't understand why Avram Grant was ever in charge. Zola is far more suited to managing the club.
"There are not many teams with West Ham's support and traditions. But the way I was treated by Brady in particular has put me off football. I'm concentrating on my F1 team now. I can build something here."
